数字经济是驱动新质生产力发展的核心引擎，长江中游城市群作为中部崛起战略核心载体，其数实融合成效关乎区域高质量发展全局。本文以该城市群城市为研究样本，基于 308 组面板数据，通过构建固定效应模型、中介效应模型与空间误差模型，系统检验数字经济对新质生产力的影响效应与作用机制。研究采用熵值法测度核心变量，以产业结构高级化、产业结构合理化为中介变量，纳入人口规模、全要素生产率等控制变量，并经三重稳健性检验验证结论可靠性。结合区域发展瓶颈，本文从技术创新、要素配置、产业融合、制度协同四大维度提出优化路径，为城市群数字经济赋能新质生产力提供实证支撑与决策参考。

The digital economy serves as the core engine driving the development of new-type productive forces. As a pivotal platform for the Central China Rise strategy, the Yangtze River Mid-Reach Urban Agglomeration’s digital-real economy integration outcomes critically shape regional high-quality development. Using 308 panel data from cities within this agglomeration, this study systematically examines the impact and mechanisms of digital economy on new-type productive forces through fixed-effects models, mediation analysis, and spatial error models. Core variables are measured using entropy values, with industrial upgrading and rationalization serving as mediating variables. Control variables including population size and total factor productivity are incorporated, with conclusions validated through triple robustness tests. Addressing regional development bottlenecks, the study proposes optimization pathways across four dimensions—technological innovation, factor allocation, industrial integration, and institutional coordination—providing empirical support and policy recommendations for empowering new-type productive forces through digital economy development in urban agglomerations.